Obituary

Brother Leonard Maye Senior was born Sunday, June 12, 1932, along with his late twin brother Lonnie Maye, to Richard Sr and Mary Rivers Maye in Birmingham, Alabama.

He was the youngest of nine children: Ella Pearl Faison, Esau Maye, Carolee (infant), Bettie Julia Danner, Richard Maye Junior, Geneva Hall, Arthur Maye, and twin brother Lonnie Maye.

The family originated from Livingston, Sumter County, Alabama, but planted their family's roots in Birmingham's East Woodlawn area in 1946. Brother Maye was educated in Sumter County and the Birmingham Public School System and graduated from A.H. Parker High School.

Brother Maye was married to Willie Mae Patterson Maye and to this union three children were born Linda Vanessa, Leonard Junior, and Malcolm Fitzgerald Maye.

He began his workforce career with Pizitz Department Store, later moving to work with American Association, O'Neal Steel, and Goslin Envirotech. In 1982, Brother Maye and his wife opened the Jefferson Avenue Day Care Kindergarten and served the Birmingham communities for thirteen years.

Brother Maye accepted Christ in 1952 and became a devoted member of Bethel Baptist Church Southside and later at the Berney Points location.  He served faithfully as both a deacon and lay leader.  In his early ministry years, he served as a Sunday School and Baptist Training Union teacher and later was elected by the church to serve as their Sunday School Superintendent.  During his time at Bethel Baptist Southside, he helped organize "The Crusaders," an outreach ministry aimed at guiding young Christian boys.

During the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, he risked his life to serve as a foot soldier along with many others in the Birmingham community to bring about social change for all people. He would always encourage the youth to exercise their right to vote.

In 2005, he joined Liberty Missionary Baptist Church (Alabaster), and continued his Christian work.  Outreach ministry was at the heart of his calling. He took great joy in inviting people from all walks of life to come to know Christ as their personal Savior. On any given day, Brother Maye approached strangers and asked, " What church are you a member of ? " Then, he would follow-up with this statement, " I would love for you to come visit Liberty Baptist Church and worship with us."

Brother Maye received recognition for his faithful and loyal services by many and his teaching continues to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Brother Leonard Maye Senior was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Rivers Maye Senior, his sisters, brothers, and his wife, Willie Mae Patterson Maye.

He leaves to cherished him three children; Linda Vanessa Maye, Leonard Maye Junior (Lolita), Malcolm Fitzgerald Maye (Sheila); grandchildren: LaJuana S. Grice, Carina D. Maye, Christina A. Maye, Sydni L. Maye, Malea D. Maye, and Jayla A. Maye. ; two great grandchildren; Lewe Glenn and Josiah Martin;  brother in-law Henry L. Patterson of Birmingham; sisters in- law: Essie Patterson of Atlanta, Georgia and Burnice Patterson, of Birmingham, Alabama